Björnskfestivalen

Björnskfestivalen (English: Björnsk Song Festival; Celtican: Y Bjørns Féilehátíðin, French: L'exécution de musique björnsk) is the national final selection organised by Björnsk Television (BTV) since June 2016, and in collaboration with Øén since November 2018. It is used to pick the Björnsk entry for the Maia Song Contest. It has been met with positive feedback and has been labelled an instant ratings hit in the country. Since it's inception, it has been the most popular television programme in Björnska. The show is also broadcast with English and Celtica subtitled on ENTV and CETV respectively, as well as being also streamed over the internet via the official website.

In the first series of the contest, the contest consisted of a grand final in which six songs selected from thousands of entries performed for the chance to represent Björnska. It was hosted by Kim Chi in Heimili Frammistaða, in the region of Nýstad. It was won with a landslide by Emil Berg, with his song "Du swipa höger", which then went on to perform at the Maia Song Contest. Since the first edition, the show has seen multiple format revamps, such as the introduction of superfinal rounds, semi-finals, and wildcards.

Additional to format shake-ups, the selection has also seen various hosts since it first aired. Kim Chi took on the role of main host from the first to fifth edition of the contest, while Papi Flacko joined as co-host during the second and third. Since the sixth edition, Davina McCall has assumed the role of host, though all three aforementioned names co-hosted the tenth (all-stars) edition.

In terms of success, thirteen of fifteen Björnskfestivalen winning entries have qualified to the grand final of the Maia Song Contest. Viewing figures for the national selection are generally very high, though a pattern of small drops in ratings have been observed to occur following low-final finishes at the Maia Song Contest.

There were fifteen consecutive series of the show, until the country opted for internal selection in Maia Song Contest 16 onwards. The national selection was renewed for Maia Song Contest 23, and has continued ever since, with the exception of a one-edition break for Maia Song Contest 27.

Logo design
The original generic logo, used from the first edition to the seventeenth, was unveiled in June 2016. It featured the contest name (Björnskfestivalen) along a line of an infinity symbol, as a hope that the contest could live on forever.

In February 2019, the generic logo was replaced by a new design, with the name of the contest in bold text as its main feature. There is a heart symbol with accompanying umlaut in lieu of the "Ö", the shape also denoting two dancers, which refers to the increasing performance aspect of the contest.

Occasionally, when there is a specific theme to the contest, producers will adapt the logo to include the edition's slogan. This could also include design aspects that reflect the theme, but not always. Since the seventeenth edition, there has been no slogan, though the edition number has been included on the logo of the eighteenth edition.

Original run

 * 1. Four entries progressed to a super final round, wherein the result was decided by a 'Grand Jury' - consisting of maiafans, international juries, and national citizens.
 * 2. Two entries progressed to a super final round, wherein the result was decided solely by an online vote. Results were announced in the form of percentages rather than points or votes cast.

Renewed seasons

 * 1. Although the national final was held and won by Blow, they did not go on to represent Björnska at Maia Song Contest 26. This is due to a scandal where they were disqualified for previously competing in D'unelalehvision 08, and competing as newcomers rather than international wildcards if they had applied properly. The runners-up declined to take their place, and a back-up entry was internally selected.

Presenting hosts
Since the show's inception, it has been presented by Kim Chi. During the second and third series, she was joined by Papi Flacko. In the sixth series, the role of host was taken over by Davina McCall, who was joined by the other two aforementioned hosts for the tenth edition. Graham Norton took over hosting duties from the thirteenth to fifteenth editions, until the show was cancelled.

From the sixteenth edition, when the series was renewed, Davina McCall returned as host.

Language of songs
As of Björnskfestivalen 20, songs have been performed in many languages - though English and Björnsk are by far the two most represented.


 * a Entries that have competed multiple times do not count additional times towards this number.
 * b. If an entry has multiple languages, only the predominant language of the song is included towards this number.
 * c. Includes varieties of Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish.